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The average American is expected to spend $1,638 on holiday shopping this year, according to a recent PwC survey. That's not easy for those who struggle to pay their regular bills each month. Shopping sales and using the best rewards credit cards can help you lower your costs, but they're not your only options.
There's another way to save on holiday purchases that most people never even consider, and it could help you earn up to 15x more credit card rewards. Best of all, it's completely free.
Make your purchases in the right places
When most people think about shopping for gifts in the right places, they think about comparing prices at different retailers to find the best deals. This is important, but it's not the only way you can save.
If you have a credit card from a major bank, chances are, you also have access to an online shopping portal where you can get exclusive deals that come with bonus rewards at select stores. Shop with Chase and Capital One Shopping are two examples. Capital One Shopping is free to use even if you're not a Capital One customer.
But you'll need a qualifying Chase credit card to use Shop with Chase. Learn more about some of our favorite Chase credit cards to see which is your ticket to the greatest savings this holiday season.
All you have to do is log into the platform and look for special offers on the retailers you plan to shop from. Click on the store name or offer and then make your purchases like you normally would. Make sure you have your cookies turned on so your credit card issuer can track these purchases correctly.
The exact rewards you can earn vary by card issuer and retailer. But you could get as much as 15x back at certain stores. That's the difference between getting $15 back on a $100 purchase vs. $1 back with a typical cash back credit card.
It's not as immediate as getting a discount on a product at checkout. You'll have to wait until the end of the billing cycle when the credit card issuer applies the rewards to your account. Then, you'll have to either redeem the rewards for gift cards or a statement credit. But the potential savings still make it worth the few extra clicks required.
How to make the most of credit card shopping portals
Here are a few tricks to help you maximize your rewards through credit card shopping portals.
Check multiple retailers
If the item you want isn't exclusive to a particular retailer, it's still worth shopping around to see which offers the best deal. Your credit card shopping portal may also offer different deals at different stores, which could affect how much you pay.
Check multiple shopping portals
If you have access to several credit card shopping portals, check each of them to see which offers you the greatest rewards. You can also use sites like Cashback Monitor to determine which credit card rewards portals offer the greatest value at a particular retailer.
Use the right credit card
Don't forget that some of your rewards credit cards may offer bonus points in particular categories. For example, if you have a card that offers 5% back on department stores during the holidays, this could be a better choice than a general purpose cash back card that gives you 1% to 2% back on all purchases.
Avoid overspending
Getting more credit card rewards is great, but chances are, if you carry a balance, you'll still lose more in interest each month than you're earning in rewards. Whenever possible, limit your spending to only what you know you can pay back at the end of the month.
If this isn't possible, consider opening a card with a 0% introductory APR period to make your spending a little less stressful.This will give you several months where your balance won't accrue interest, so it's easier to pay off.
If you have any questions about your credit card issuer's shopping portal, don't hesitate to reach out. It's important to ensure you understand how it works, so you don't miss the opportunity to earn valuable rewards.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Kailey Hagen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
